Canton Writers' Guild has a passion for the pen

The printed word is still cherished by the Greater Canton Writers' Guild, whether it be on paper or computer.

Ed Balint CantonRep.com staff writer @ebalintREP

Caroline Totten has a closet full of stories — notebooks, reams of paper, some in long-form, others typed.

Short stories. Novels. Poetry. There they sleep, in her home in northwest Canton. Never to be read. Never to be published.

"I was learning the craft," said Totten, smiling. Plus, "after I finished, I didn't like them," she quipped. "You have to write a number of words before you learn how to do it."

The 87-year-old is a founding member of the Greater Canton Writers' Guild. Proof of that is on a 1984 plaque she received for writing achievement from the group — emblazoned are the images of both a typewriter and a quill pen.

Established in 1964, the guild is home to those passionate about the pen. "We were just very excited about writing and stories," she said of that early incarnation.

In the digital age, the guild continues, with about 25 active members. Meeting, training, discussing, lecturing. The guild also promotes workshops and contests.

Despite that pile of prose in her closet, Totten has been published in an array of literary magazines and publications. And the former newspaper writer is working on another novel, with hopes of publication.

"As I always say, tell me a story and I'll follow you anywhere," said Totten, sitting at her writing desk, a green candle burning — a ritual she says brings good spirits. "And I'm just addicted to stories, movies, whatever, and when something holds my attention, I get excited and I turn and want to write one — it's just fun."

Those in the guild simply love to write, she said. They don't expect to become the next James Patterson, Nicholas Sparks, Stephen King, John Grisham, Nora Roberts — all giants in the writing trade and industries of themselves.

But it's not impossible. "I know the business well enough to know if you're in the right place at the right time it could happen," Totten said.

"I think eventually a good book gets discovered," she said. "It might take a while — you might be dead."

CHANGING TIMES

Like the writing field itself, the guild has undergone changes over the decades. The group once boasted 50 members. Five years ago, it was facing extinction.

The website looked dusty, dated. "It had just stagnated," said Mela Saylor, a former guild president and current member. "And it looked like a relic out of the 1970s."

Since then, new members have gotten involved. New leadership has emerged, including a recent college graduate who blogs. And longtime members — including Saylor and Totten — are still involved.

Visitors are welcome to attend monthly meetings. "We like people who feel passionate about literature and creativity," Totten said. "And have imagination and are willing to share and help each other."

Some guild authors are self-published through outlets such as iUniverse and AuthorHouse. Over the years, the guild has published collections of short stories and poetry.

To get published, it takes dedication and resilience. Especially in a crowded industry. Take Julie Anne Lindsey. A 1999 graduate of McKinley High School, she's authored romance novels for Turquoise Morning Press, a small international publishing house, as well as signing a three-book deal with Carina Press, a digital-first spinoff from Harlequin, a prominent publisher in romance. "Murder by the Seaside," in the "cozy mystery" genre, was released in October for Carina.

Lindsey humbly admitted she's far from a household name. Not to be confused with the authors who have penned colossal publishing sensations such as "The Hunger Games" and "Fifty Shades of Grey."

"I'm more like an amoeba in an ocean of writers," she said. "I barely exist in this industry, but I'm happy with the steady progress I'm making toward my goal."

But she's come a long way. Five years ago, she first took an interest in writing. Lindsey was in full-blown mom mode: Nursing a baby; potty training a toddler; home schooling a kindergartner.

One night she was on the couch, nursing the infant while watching the first of the "Twilight" movies. Soon after, her husband surprised her with the novel that inspired the film. It had been years since she had read a book for enjoyment.

Lindsey found herself falling in love with books. Baby howling in the background, she called her husband at work with a pronouncement: "I'm going to write a novel."

The Perry Township resident scoured the Internet to learn about story craft. And she discovered the guild, a haven for writers. "They're very open, they're like a family," Lindsey said.

The novice writer was met with rejection. But "it was nice to know that was OK, and (guild members) were always excited about my next idea, and it was like coming home," Lindsey said of the club.

Most don't have lofty dreams. "I know there's plenty of authors there who finish writing and don't submit (the stories to agents, publishers or websites)," Lindsey said. "They like words."

Writing dominates her life — along with her children — ages 5, 7 and 10 — and husband. Time is spent talking with her agent. Working the phones to get invited to book fairs, including out of state. Or trying to get book stores and libraries to carry her literary works.

The Barnes & Noble store in Summit County is stocking her latest release — "Deceived." The book is published by Merit Press, an imprint for young adult titles headed by best-selling author Jacquelyn Mitchard.

"I think writing is more of a calling than a choice," Lindsey said. "I don't know any writers who could stop if they wanted to."